The horizontal line represents the person’s life.1540 - born1720 - “Collection of Curious Discourses”1615 - died

Agard, Arthur

, a learned and industrious English
antiquary, and one of the members of the first society of
antiquaries, was the son of Clement Agard, of Foston (not Toston, as in the Biog. Brit.) in Derbyshire, by Eleanor,
the daughter of Thomas Middleborough, of Egbaston in
Warwickshire. He was born 1540, and originally studied
law; but it does not appear that he was at either university. He afterwards became a clerk in the Exchequer office; and in 1570 was made deputy chamberlain of the
Exchequer, which he held forty-five years. During this
time, he had leisure and industry to accumulate large
|
collections of matters pertaining to the antiquities of his country; and his rseal in these researches procured him the acquaintance of that eminent benefactor to English literature
and antiquities, sir Robert Cotton, with whom he enjoyed
the strictest friendship as long as he lived. Wood, in his
Athenae, has made a strange mistake here in ascribing
Agard’s proficiency in antiquary knowledge to Sir Robert,
who was but just born the year Agard came into office.
There can be no doubt, however, that they improved and
assisted each other in their pursuits. Agard also could
number the most eminent and learned men of the age
among his friends and coadjutors. It was in his days,
about 1572, that the society of antiquaries was formed by
archbishop Parker; and among the names of its original
members, we find Agard, Andrews, Bouchier, Camden,
Carew, Cotton, Dodderidge, Ley, Spelman, Stow, Dethicke, Lambart, and others. In this society, Agard read
these essays, which have since been published by Hearne,
in his “Collection of Curious Discourses,” 1720 and 1775,
2. vols. Agard’s discourses are: 1. Opinion touching the
antiquity, power, order, state, manner, persons, and proceedings of the high court of parliament in England.
2. On this question, Of what antiquity shires were in England In this essay various ancient manuscripts are cited;
and Mr. Agard seems to think king Alfred was the author
of this division: it was delivered before the society in
Easter term, 33 Eliz. 1591. 3. On the dimensions of the
lands in England. In this he settles the meaning of these
words, solin, hida, carucata, jngum, virgata, ferlingata, ferlinges, from ancient manuscripts and authentic records in
the exchequer. 4. The authority, office, and privileges
of heraults [heralds] in England. He is of opinion, that
this office is of the same antiquity with the institution of
the garter. 5. Of the antiquity or privileges of the houses
or inns of court, and of chancery. In this he observes,
that in more ancient times, before the making of Magna
Charta, our lawyers were of the clergy: that in the time of
J^dward I. the law came to receive its proper form; and
that in an old record, the exchequer was styled the mothercourt of all courts of record. He supposes that at this
time lawyers began to have settled places of abode, but
affirms he knew of no privileges. 6. Of the diversity of
names of this island. In this we find that the first Saxons,
residing in this island, came here under the command of
| ne Aelle and his three sons, in 43.5; and that the reason,
why it was called England rather than Saxon land, was because the Angles, after this part of the island was totally
suhdued, were more numerous than the Saxons. He likewise observes, that after this conquest, the name of Briton
grew into distaste, and all valued themselves on being
Englishmen. This was read, June 29, 1604, and is the
last discourse of Agard in the collection. The society was
dissolved soon after, and did not revive until the last century.

Agard made the Doomsday book his particular study,
and endeayoured to explain it in a treatise, “De usu et
obscurioribus verbis,” on the use and true meaning of the
obscure words in the Doomsday book. This is preserved
in the Cotton library, under Vitellius, N 9. He likewise
compiled for the benefit of his successors, “A Catalogue
of all such records as were in the four treasuries belonging to his Majesty; and an account of all leagues, and
treaties of peace, intercourses, and marriages, with foreign
nations.” This he deposited with the officers of his Majesty’s receipt; and by his will he directed that, on a
small reward being paid to his executor, eleven other ms
treatises, relating to exchequer affairs, should be delivered
up to the office. All the rest of his collections, consisting
of at least twenty volumes, he bequeathed to sir Robert
Cotton, in whose library they were deposited. Previous
to his death, he caused a monument to be erected for himself and his wife, near the chapter door in the cloister of
Westminster-abbey. He died Aug. 22, 1615. Camden,
Selden, and other antiquaries, bear ample testimony to his
merit. 1

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